Thursday, October 20, 2005

Scoop Jackson

The Scoop Jackson National Security and Freedom Act of 2005 aims to force China to treat refugees from North Korea better. Every year countless refugees from the "Democratic" "People's Republic" of Korea escape across the border to China where, if caught, they are sent back to the DPRK. The refugees are trying to make it to international embassies or schools from where they can then be ferried to South Korea and freedom. This bill, in the spirit of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of 1974, is named for Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson who fought for the rights of the refuseniks.

For more on the bill, see this article in the Digital Chosunilbo or this outstanding blogpost on the subject.

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